Email Newsletters

‘If I Were Santa Claus’ essay contest taking entries

Sept. 19, 2012

An essay contest for fifth grade through high school students with the theme “If I Were Santa Claus” has begun, and the winners will be recognized during a historic Santa Claus exhibit later this year at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield. The deadline to submit entries is Nov. 2.

The essay contest for fifth through eighth grade students in one category and ninth grade through high school students in another category on the theme “If I Were Santa Claus” will include cash prizes of $500, $250, $100, $50 and $25. The 200- to 250-word entries must be postmarked by Nov. 2.

The entries can be handwritten or typed, and must be submitted by U.S. Mail to: Santa Claus Essay Contest, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library, 112 N. Sixth St., Springfield, IL 62701. Entrants should include their grade level and contact information.

“The ‘If I Were Santa Claus’ essays should deal with themes of generosity, love, charity, peace or any of the positive attributes associated with Santa. Entrants should use their imaginations to write original, creative interpretations of the theme,” library director Eileen Mackevich said in a news release.

The essay contest winners will be announced the week of Thanksgiving and displayed in the Lincoln Presidential Library, across the street from the historic Santa Claus exhibit in the Presidential Museum. The winning essays also will be transcribed and put on the Presidential Library and Museum’s social media sites.